A-I-R Atos
{{Short description|German hang glider}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name= | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Hang glider | national origin=Germany | manufacturer=A-I-R GmbH | designer=Felix Ruehle | first flight= | introduced=1998 | retired= | status=In production | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built=1250 | developed from= | variants with their own articles=Ultralight Design Atos Trike }} |
The A-I-R Atos is a German high-wing, single-place, rigid wing hang glider designed by Felix Ruehle and produced by A-I-R GmbH of Halblech.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 40. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
Design and development
The Atos was originally designed as a competition rigid wing hang glider in 1998, with production commencing the following year. Since then the design has undergone almost continuous refinement and a succession of model numbers. It remained in production in 2012.{{Cite web|url = http://www.a-i-r.de/eng/air_04e.php?kat=108&par=0&gp=4|title = ATOS - made by A-I-R, The new definition of hang gliding|accessdate = 1 February 2012|last = A-I-R GmbH|date = 2 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120124234502/http://www.a-i-r.de/eng/air_04e.php?kat=108&par=0&gp=4|archive-date = 24 January 2012|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}
The aircraft structure is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. The wing uses minimal cable bracing and incorporates both flaps and spoilers for roll control. The aspect ratio for most models is in the range of 11:1 or 12:1. Achieved glide ratios run as high as 20:1. Later models incorporate a horizontal tailplane for improved stability.{{Cite web|url = http://www.a-i-r.de/eng/air_04e.php?kat=110&gp=4&stl=Model%20Overview|title = Model Overview, Facts and Data|accessdate = 1 February 2012|last = A-I-R GmbH|date = 2 January 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
The Atos gliders are designed for folding for ground transportation. The largest model, the Atos VX, for example, can be folded into 5.80 x 0.48 x 0.20m (19.0 x 1.57 x 0.66 feet) in 18 minutes and weighs {{convert|47.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.
Later model Atos are compatible with the Swedish Aerosport Mosquito power pack.
The wing was also later developed into an ultralight trike, the Ultralight Design Atos Trike. It can also be fitted to the Veleria Dedalo Strike-T trike.Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 244. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}
Operational history
Variants
;Atos C 135
:Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of {{convert|11.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|11.6|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification.
;Atos C 160
:Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of {{convert|12.82|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|13.6|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification.
;Atos C Classique 135
:Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of {{convert|11.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|11.6|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification.
;Atos C Classique 160
:Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of {{convert|12.82|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|13.6|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification.
;Atos C+ 135
:Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of {{convert|11.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|11.6|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification.
;Atos C+ 160
:Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of {{convert|12.82|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|13.6|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification.
;Atos VS
:Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of {{convert|11.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|11.8|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, aspect ratio of 11.8:1 and glide ratio of 19:1. DHV certification.
;Atos V
:Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of {{convert|12.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|14.1|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, aspect ratio of 12.1:1 and glide ratio of 19:1. DHV certification.
;Atos VQ
:Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of {{convert|13.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|14.2|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 13.5:1. DHV certification.
;Atos VR/VR10
:Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of {{convert|13.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|14.7|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and aspect ratio of 13.3:1. DHV certification.
;Atos VX
:Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of {{convert|14.0|m|ft|abbr=on}}, wing area of {{convert|16.0|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, aspect ratio of 12.6:1 and glide ratio of 20:1. The VX is certified under DHV for two-place operations.
Specifications (Atos VX)
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|crew=one
|capacity=one passenger
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|span m=14.0
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|wing area sqm=16.0
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|aspect ratio=12.6:1
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|empty weight kg=47.5
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|gross weight kg=231
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|glide ratio=20:1
|sink rate ms=0.6
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|sink rate note=while solo
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.a-i-r.de}}